Pantera’s late drummer Vinnie Paul’s estate believes that Pantera’s reunion is impossible without him and guitarist Dimebag Darrell, who was shot dead in 2004 during a performance. Pantera will be joining fellow heavy metal act Metallica on the latter’s US dates for their upcoming M72 World Tour.

The estate said in a statement, “There can never be a Pantera reunion without Vinnie and Dime”, but added that “there is no better way to celebrate and honor Vinnie and Dime’s legacy, than to bring the music of Pantera directly to the fans.” The statement further added, “We are honored that Charlie and Zakk, their very close friends and musical brothers, will share the stage with Philip and Rex, to unleash the power of Pantera live around the world.”

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Pantera will now feature original vocalist and bassist, Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown, respectively, along with Anthrax’s drummer Charlie Benante and Black Label Society guitarist, Zakk Wylde. Their first concert together will be the Hell & Heaven Metal Fest in Mexico, after which the band will play in South America, Europe, and in the United States.

Benante and Wylde, who will be joining the band’s two original members, have also refrained from using the term “reunion”, and are instead saying that the performances will be a “celebration” of the groove metal band’s music. Pantera will be opening for Metallica on their US dates.

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This is not the first time that Pantera and Metallica will be joining forces. The two bands earlier performed in a concert called For Those About to Rock: Monsters in Moscow during the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Pantera opened the concert by performing three songs. They were followed by The Black Crowes, Metallica, and AC/DC. Around half a million people are reported to have attended the concert.